Focus
Not the West Highland Way
Diversions over mountains, smaller hills or high passes for 8 of the WH Way's 9 stages
NOT The West Highland Way describes alternative routes over mountains, smaller hills or high passes to all but one of the West Highland Way's nine stages, providing alternatives away from the main roads. With add-on day trips over Ben Lomond or Beinn Dorain. Includes 2 two-day routes for warm-up trips.
Seasons
April to October, with May, June and September as the best months of all; a few routes have some access limitations during stag stalking from August to October; winter months are also enjoyable for tough typesCentres
Loch Lomond, Taynuilt, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Kinlochleven, Corrour Station, Fort WilliamDifficulty
Moderate day walks over small hills and pathed Munros; pathless but grassy ridges and high passes; treks of two or three days on valley paths; a rough crossing of Rannoch Moor; map reading and compass/GPS skills needed on the more serious routes; some non-technical scramblingMust See
Loch Lomond from overhead; sunrise from the summit corrie of Ben Lui; woods and waterfalls of River Leven; long, lonely Loch Etive; Glen Nevis from its bleak head down to its Himalayan-style gorge-
Overview
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This guidebook offers mountain alternatives to eight of the nine stages of the West Highland Way, taking in the surrounding Stobs and Bens. The route takes the best of what the Way has to offer and add to it. They're perfect for walking from April to October and are suitable for backpackers of all levels.
The route provided ranges between 10 and 31 km (6-19 miles) per stage and includes five one-day hill circuits as well as two two-day warm up trips. It crosses Ben Lomond and Beinn Dorain, the Campsie Fells, the Mamores and on to Glen Coe.
- 1:50,000 OS mapping included for each stage
- Tips and hints for beginners on two day backpacking routes
- Options to extend the route to Dalwhinnie, Inverie and Cape Wrath
- Detailed information on access, public transport, and facilities
- Over 100 photos and 20 maps included
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Table of Contents
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Updates
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Reviews
By Ronald Turnbull
Ronald Turnbull writes regularly for TGO, Lakeland Walker, Trail and Cumbria magazines. His previous books include Across Scotland on Foot, Long Days in Lakeland and Welsh 3000ft Challenges. He has written many other Cicerone guides, including Walking in the Lowther Hills, The Book of the Bivvy and Not the West Highland Way. Ronald's weekly newsletter on mountains, hillwalking and history is at https://aboutmountains.substack.com/
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